Seniors facing tough choices find help with their homes

United Way of Chester County’s Share the Warmth program was started in 2005 as a project designed to increase the number of residents who would receive much needed home winterization, during a time that promised higher fuel and food prices. That has not changed.

Food prices today are even higher, fuel prices continue to rise, and many in Chester County are being hit from all directions. Among those hit especially hard are our local seniors.

Seniors like Elizabeth, the 84 year old widow whose home in West Chester desperately needed window replacing. Elizabeth was running space heaters in order to stay warm and would often remain in her bedroom during the day because other parts of the house were just too cold.

Seniors like the Finnegan’s. The 79 year old couple who live on a limited, fixed income and are no longer able to stay on top of the repairs their old home needs. Some months the couple was forced to make a choice between paying for fuel or paying for groceries.

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No one should have to choose between heat or medicine, food or fuel—but many do. Many seniors in our community are faced with potentially losing their home, often their life’s greatest investment, simply because they can not afford the costly repairs necessary to keep it warm and dry.

Good Neighbors replaced Elizabeth’s windows and her oil tank. They insulated her walls and repaired her roof. All for less than $3,000.

Good Works insulated the Finnegan’s home and replaced windows and an exterior door. By utilizing volunteer power to get the job done the agency sees an incredible return on their minimal monetary investment.

The dollars raised from the Share the Warmth program go directly toward helping the seniors who are facing the greatest risk. Last year the readers of the Daily Local raised nearly $30,000 to support this important program. We hope you will continue to support the partnership and the important work that happens because of your generosity.

Contributions to the Share the Warmth program can be addressed to: Share the Warmth, c/o Daily Local News, 250 N. Bradford Avenue, West Chester, PA 19382. Attention: Andy Hachadorian, Editor.